Virgin to use BT lines to deliver super-fast broadband

Virgin Media is set to use BT’s telegraph poles to extend the reach of its
high-speed broadband network, following an Ofcom ruling that requires BT to
open up its infrastructure to rivals

Virgin Media and other internet service providers could use BT's telegraph poles and undeground ducts to deliver high-speed broadband services to millions more homes, following an Ofcom rulingPhoto: Virgin Media

It is believed the move could enable Virgin Media to expand its network from around 12 million homes to around 16 million homes over the next few years.

Yesterday, communications regulator Ofcom announced plans to compel BT to open up its network infrastructure to rivals.

That would allow other internet service providers to use BT’s telegraph poles and underground ducts to run fibre cables to homes, and would substantially reduce the cost of rolling out next-generation, high-speed broadband networks. It would also help to deliver reliable broadband internet to rural areas.

“This is an important step that rightly focuses on opening up areas of the country not already served by super-fast broadband, removing one of the hurdles that make such developments near impossible at present,” said Virgin Media in a statement.

“However, we now need to ensure the price demanded for access to poles and ducts does not limit the ambitions of getting next-generation connectivity to those people living outside our towns and cities.”